Bronzeville Arts Ensemble Announces New Artistic Director and Residency

Bronzeville Arts Ensemble (BAE) is proud to name Sheri Williams Pannell as its new Artistic Director. A stage director, playwright, theatre educator and performer, Pannell is a long-standing member of the Milwaukee theatre community. With Pannell's tenure also comes a new residency with Black Arts MKE. "Bronzeville Arts Ensemble is fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in partnership with Milwaukee Repertory Theater over the past two years," said Williams Pannell. "Collaboration helps make theater happen, especially for relatively new companies like BAE. We are grateful to the Rep for their support and mentorship. Yet, the most challenging aspect of theater is fundraising and audience development. We believe Black Arts MKE's commitment to making local African American arts institutions more financially sound and capable of reaching a larger audience is essential to our growth and survival."

Founded in 2013, Bronzeville Arts Ensemble strives to illuminate the black experience in America by developing and creating theater while also providing artistic and educational programming opportunities, collaborating with the local and national theatre community, and inspiring healing and positive social change. To learn more visit www.bronzevilleartsensemble.com.

We're committed to inspiring creativity in future generations by increasing the availability and quality of African American arts in Milwaukee. Black Arts MKE artists serve over 3,000 youth annually for K5 through 8th grades. Our performing and visual arts education and outreach programs are designed to reach urban Milwaukee neighborhood schools serving at-risk, underserved, under-resourced, and primarily African American youth. Founding Black Arts MKE member Ko-Thi Dance Company (founded 1969) offers Ton Ko-Thi Children's Performing Ensemble, an after school performing arts program for over 30 youth ages 7-18. Ko-Thi partners with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra ACE Program to bring arts education programming to urban and suburban schools. Our annual signature event, Black Nativity by Langston Hughes, is a new holiday musical favorite in Milwaukee and is produced in collaboration with the Marcus Center for Performing Arts. Black Arts MKE is a proud UPAF Affiliate and Resident Group at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.